Box-lid machine



April 20, l93T G. H. .'sNYDER ET AL 2,078,037

` BOX LID MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, `.1936 7 Sheets-*Sheet l April 20, 1937. G. H. SNfYDER Em 2,078,037

BOX LID MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 pril 20, 1937. G. H. YSNYDER ET Al.

BOX LID MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 pril 20, 1937 G. H. SNYDER ET AL 2,078,037

Box LID MACHINE V Filed Feb. 19, 1936 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 253 Z55 2mg-;

ATTORN EY April 2o, 1937.

/ G. H. SNYDER ET AL Box LID MACHINE -7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 19, 1936 April zo, 1937. G. H. SNYDER ET AL 2,078,037

BOX LID MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 19, 1936 pril 20, 1937. G H SNYDER ET AL i 2,078,037

BOX LID MACHINE 7 sheets-shee 7 Filed Feb. 19, 1936 Patented Apr. 2G, 1937 UNITEB S'EES PATENT @FFICE BOX-LID MACHINE Application February 19, 1936, Serial No. 64,760

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for forming lid assemblies for cardboard or other boxes.

In Patent No. 1,970,580 there was disclosed a box having a lid of the type to be produced according to this invention. In application No. 39,556 there is disclosed additional matter relative to the box lid and box assembly and methods. The instant invention relates to improvements in the assembly of the box lid, whereby a box lid comprised of laminations of cardboard is assembled with a hinge or easel piece or strip anchored between and extending in part laterally of laminations, as, usually, to form a securing means for the box lid or top relative to the box wall, supplemental and in addition to the conventional hinge piece or strip. f

It is among the objects of the invention; to provide means for mechanically associating laminations of fibrous material to form a laminated lid; to provide an improved method of assembling box lids; to provide an improved method of assembling box lids of laminations with a laterally extending easel strip engaged between .laminations; to provide improved apparatus and la process for assembling laminated box lids with v'certain of the edges of all laminations in substantial alignment; and many other objects and advantages as will be pointed out as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this description:

Fig. 1 represents a plan of a machine or device for assembling box lids according to a preferred form of the invention,

Fig. 2 represents an end elevation of the same, Fig. 3 represents a side elevation of the same, Fig. 4 represents an end elevation of the same 40 opposite to that of Fig. 2,

Figs. 5 and 6 represent fragmentary elevations and sections of a detail of the step-by-step feed mechanism for advancing the work through the several stages,

Fig. 7 represents a fragmentary vertical section through the first stage of the device, showing the means for advancing layers from a hopper to a position to be glued and to have the easel strip applied,

Fig. 8 represents a fragmentary elevation of the easel strip feeding and attaching mechanism,

Fig. 9 represents a transverse vertical fragmentary section through the easel strip holding and applying mechanism showing the secondary or operated position of the parts in dotted lines,

Fig. 10 represents a fragmentary. section through the shearing or cutting device of the veasel strip mechanism,

Fig. l1 represents a transverse fragmentary vertical section through the second stage of the mechanism, showing the follower for moving theV secondary or upper layer of material from the hopper, the feed and glue rolls, and the platen or other compressing elementfor imparting an initial set to the adherent assembly,

Fig. 12 represents a fragmentary elevation partially in section, of the guides for receiving the assembled top with the platen in compressing superposed relation,

Fig. 13 represents a fragmentary section, partially in elevation, of the assembled top and the several guides effective to prevent misalignment,

Fig. 14 represents a fragmentary section and elevation of the lateral aligning linger of the second stage,

Fig. 15 represents a similar fragmentary sec tion and elevation of the longitudinally aligning nger of the second stage of the mechanism,

Figs. 16 and 17 represent fragmentary end and side elevations, respectively, of the feed and glue rolls of the second stage of the mechanism,

Fig. 18 represents a transverse horizontal section through the assembly, showing the preferred form of driving trains of gears and cams,

Fig. 19 represents a fragmentary section of the gear and sprocket unit continuously driven to actuate the glue rollers, while being simply journalled upon and unkeyed relative to the end of the main power drive shaft, which latter may be running or idle according to clutch actuations,

Fig. 20 represents a section through the primary layer of the assembly prior to the processing steps,

Fig. 21 represents a section through the primary layer of the assembly prior to the processing steps,

Fig. 22 represents diagrammatically the application of the narrow coating of adhesive to the primary layer as by the bodily movable roller shown,

Fig. 23 represents diagrammatically the application of the easel strip to the adhesive coating on the primary layer,

Fig. 24 represents diagrammatically the deposition of the secondary layer with a lower coating of adhesive, upon subsequently-withdrawnsupporting lingers whereby to superimpose the secondary upon the primary layer,

Fig. 25 represents diagrammatically the application of the initial compression upon the superimposed layers, and

Fig. 26 represents diagrammatically the application of the final compression to the assembled lid by oalendering compression rolls.

The preferred embodiment of a box lid is shown in Fig. 2O and the order of processing preferably followed to secure it is illustrated in Figs. 21 to 26 inclusive. This preferred order of steps will first be explained in order to facilitate the explanation of the apparatus of the invention which will follow.

Referring to the completed box lid of Fig. 20, it will be observed to comprise a relatively thick layer of fibrous material such as cardboard Il), of the desired dimensions which may be designated the primary layer and a thinner layer of brous material II, of substantially the same dimensions as the rst mentioned layer I5 characterized as a secondary layer, the layers being tightly adherent one to the other in superposed relation, with a relatively narrow easel strip I2 in anchored engagement between the strips and extending laterally of the lid, longitudinally for a portion at least of the length of one side edge I3. There are always unpredictable slight variations in dimensions of the fibrous materials after dying or cutting to shape, whether of paper or of cardboard, and the like, and therefore it is possible that there may not be exact registration of all of the edges of both upper and lower or primary and secondary layers, and it is necessary therefore that registration be secured by certain edges in preference to others, in the usual preferred case. It should also be remembered that the lower thicker primary sheet il! and upper thinner secondary sheet II may be reversed in position and may be comprised of several individual laminations and may be assembled after cutting as well as prior thereto as preferred and as illustrated by the assembled thicknesses of each layer disclosed herein.

The preferred order of steps that produces a desirable product provides that the lower strata or layer, whether thick or thin, as I0, is first provided with a preferably narrow coating of adhesive, as I4, as by a traveling glue or adhesive roller I5. Then a desired length of easel strip I2 is superimposed over the adhesive coating I4 adjacent to the edge, with the strip disposed with perhaps onehalf only over the layer I fi, with the other half overhanging the front edge I3, and then the strip is pushed into firmly secured anchored relation, as by the plunger I5.

The cooperating secondary layer II is provide-d with a lower coating of adhesive as I'I, and is projected or dropped momentarily upon retiring guide fingers i8 which then permit the layer to drop gravitationally or otherwise into superposed relation to and upon the lower or primary layer I Il and easel strip I2. True registration of the edges of the layers IG and Ii remote from the easel strip I2, is preferred and is facilitated by withdrawing fingers IB toward the guide rail 25, as will more fully be explained. Such withdrawal permits glued or coated strip II to engage upon the lower layer I0 and attached easel strip I2 as explained.

The layers after superimposition are pushed laterally by suitable means, not yet described, t0 assist registration, and a platen ZI is pushed vertically down to give an initial setting of the adjacent layers. A nal squeeze is imparted by a pair of calendering rolls 22 and 23, after which, although preferably with a suitable interval for setting the adhesive, the lids may be used in proper relation on the boxes which they complete. It is pointed out that the lid in position on a box has a free edge 9, opposite to the easel strip, which is preferably as close to a true rectangular edge as possible in order to simulate a wooden lid, and therefor any inequalities in primary and secondary layer dimensions preferably nd accurate registering of edge 3, with slight inaccuracies of registration through variations in width being manifest on edge I3, where, in general it makes no particular difference, as it is the rear or secured hinged edge of the lid.

'Ine machine illustrated herein represents an entity by which, in one way at least, the process illustrated in Figs. 21 to 26, may be efficiently carried out.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is provided a table 25, on top of which there is provided the four angled guides 26 dening the lateral boundaries of a hopper 2l in which the primary layers I5 are stacked, usually manually, and from which they are moved one by one from the stack bottom by a follower 28 traveling in slot 30 by actuation of suitable mechanism, shown in Fig. 2. The follower 28 is connected by link 3I to a bell crank lever 32 pivoted on shaft 33 and actuated by a cam 34 effective on arm 35 of the bell crank. Cam 34 is driven by a suitable power plant 2S through a train of gears and mechanism to be described. The follower 28 moves across the hopper, pushing the primary layer against the side guide edge II (to be described) and holds the layer in this position in the first stage while it is glued at the edge and the easel strip is applied.

Disposed slightly below the plane of the upper table surface (again referring to Fig. 1), is the upper run or length of an endless chain or cable 36 having lugs 31 at desired intervals extending vertically slightly above the table surface, through a longitudinal slot 38 in the table top. The endless conveyor, as shown in Fig. 3 runs over gears or sprockets 40 and 4I, and is driven in step-bystep movements, or short running intervals, by

mechanism shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. This comprises a pinion gear 42 keyed on shaft 43, with gear 4U, in mesh with a large driving or sprocket gear 44 keyed to a stub shaft 45, to which is number of teeth as 41, arranged to be successively and progressively engaged to drive ratchet wheel 45 and sprocket gear 44 in intermittent step-bystep rotative moments by a pawl 48 carried by link 50 journalled on stub shaft 45. Ihe free end' f of link 50 is pivoted at 52 to a two piece tension link 5I, comprised of the upper plate 53 having the tapering laterally extending aperture or hole 54 and extending slidably within the closed lower member 55. The lower tension member carries a lateral off-set chamber 56 within which the spring pressed latch 5'! is slidable and which latch has a tapering head 58 normally seated in the tapering recess 54. The lower end of the bottom piece of the tension link 55, has pivotal relation with link 60, the other end of which is pivoted to the lug or ear 5I carried by the frame 62 of the table 25. Actuation of the ratchet drive is secured by the vertical reciprocation of link 60, tension link 5I and lever arm 50, by any suitable means, as by link'63, pivoted at the top to the link 6U, and at the bottom to the lever 64 pivoted to the frame by the ear 65, and actuated by the roller lug 56 mounted between the pivots of lever 64, engaged in the lateral groove of a cam 61 mounted on the shaft 68, to be described. It will be clear that rotation of cam 61 will cause vertical reciprocations of the lever and link system described to the end that the gear 45 is imparted step-by-step progressive movement longitudinally of the table in the slot 38. Each step is preferably of such length as to move the work from the first stage to the second stage of the machine. A suitable brake or friction device 69 is provided also keyed the ratchet wheel 46 having a desired .p40

to prevent drift or other undesired movement of shaft 45.

It is possible that there may be occasional jams or other situations in which it would be undesirable to continue the intermittent feed of the lugs 31, as perhaps when layers of cardboard are Warped or bent and become cocked or otherwise jammed, and to this end the two-piece tension link 5I is provided as a safety device whereby the resistance encountered by the lugs 31 causes resistance to back up through the entire mechanism in train therewith back to the upper part 53 of the tension link 5|, which, remaining stationary, forces the latch head 58 out of the tapered recess 54, in response to the positive downwar-d pull of the lower half to permit harmless separation of the two pieces, while permitting the continued vertical reciprocation of the lower part 55 of the link. As soon as the jam is corrected and the resistance removed so as to permit resumption of the progressive forward feeding of the lugs 37, the latch El presses resiliently forward to seat again in the latch recess and prevent relative movement of the parts of the tension link.

Reference may be had to both Figs. 1 and 7, in which it will be observed that the follower 28, moving in slot Sil feeds each individual primary sheet or layer forward under the substantially horizontal slotted guide plate lll, in parallel slightly spaced relation to the table top 25, and extending from the edge of hopper 2l toward but in spaced relation to the interrupted side guide edge 'li on the table tcp 25, with the spacing adequate to permit the functioning of the plunger Illd, to be described. The guide edge'H is just high enough above the level of the table 25 as to engage the side edge of the primary layer Ill when the latter is impinged thereagainst at the conclusion of the forward feeding movement of the follower 28. However, the upper guide plate IEl engages the upper surface of the layer to hold the layer firmly against any motion .tending to dislodge it from between guide edge 'Il and follower 28. It will be understood that the feeding step moving the strata or layer IB out of the hopper 2 occurs during a stationary interval of the endless conveyor bearing' the feeding lugs 3?, and that the lower edges of one wall of the angle members 2S, adjacent to the horizontal guide 'lt are cut away opposite to the follower Z8 so as to allow one layer at a time to emerge from the hopper 2l.

With the layer I 0 in forward position in engagement with the side guide edge 7|, as shown in Fig. 7, it is in position to receive the processing indicated in the diagrammatic Figs. '22 and 23. The rst step in such processing being to apply a narrow coating of adhesive I4, mechanism for this purpose is provided and will now be discussed. Referring to Figs. 2 and 6 a freely rotatable gluing rollerv 'I2 (analogous to diagrammatic roller E5, Fig. 22) is journalled in a sliding horizontally reciprocable frame "I3, guided by the spaced guides 'I4 mounted on the table. The sliding frame I2 has a depending ear 75, movable in a slot IE in the table top and is pivotally engaged by a link TI, the free end of which is pivoted to a lever 18, which latter is pivoted at 80. Lever 'I8 (Fig. 2) is connected through adjustable link 8|, lever 82, pivoted at 83, and through link 84 to bell crank 85, pivoted on the frame at 88, and having free end 87 provided with a roller lug 89 engaging laterally in a cam groove of cam 88. It will be seen that during rotations of the cam 88 the glue roller will be reciprocated back and 'forth with the sliding frame, and the disposition is such that in its forward motion it rotatably wipes and applies a coating of adhesive to the desired narrow edge portion of the layer I0. In its retracted rearward position the roller I2 is in driven geared engagement with the upper glue or glue transfer roller 93, so as to receive an even coating of glue therefrom determined by the adjustment of a scraper 19 while in such engaging and contacting position. The upper glue or transfer roller 9B is preferably power driven, as later described, as is the primary glue roller`9l with which it has such close relation as to continuously retain a charging coating of adhesive. Lower glue roller BI is arranged for partial immersion in a suitable liquid, whether of water or other cleaning fluid, or of adhesive, as will now be described.

Rollers @il and QI are relatively xed in the frame of the device, and trough 92 with which roller 9| is associated, is mounted at one end on pivoted links 93, and at the other end upon a bell crank lever 94. The bell crank lever is pivoted on the frame at 95, has an upper leg Sli pivoted to the trough and has its lower leg below the pivot engaging the pivoted nut 91, threaded on rotatable threaded shank 98 having manual control wheel IElIl. This furnishes means by which the trough can be arcuately raised and lowered to bring the liquid level of the trough 92, or of the movable adhesive sub-trough or pan ID3, seated and horizontally slidable on the upper rim of trough Q2, upward beyond the bottom surface of roller 9|. It will be understood that after glue or other adhesive from sub-trough or pan |63 has been carried on all of the rollers 9B, 9| and 12, for a long continued run it must be removed before it has an opportunity to dry, as would happen when the machine was shut down without first removing the glue or other adhesive coating on the rollers. Shifting the position of the pan |03 and raising the water trough 92, brings water or other cleaning fluid into contact with lower roller 9|, which during continued ruiming for a short interval with suitable manipulation of scraper 79, if desired, washes oi all of the rollers so as to permit safe stopping and shutting down of the machine.

It has been pointed out that in the preferred processing procedure, after applying the narrow glue coating I4, the easel strip I2 is to be applied and secured in place. This is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 23. One form of mechanism for the result is shown in plan in Fig. 1, in end elevation in Fig. 2, and in detail in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. plunger itt is guided by the stationary guides |05 and |35 carried on the fixed bracket extension Ill, and carries on one edge the knife blade |08, the cutting edge of which is substantially in the plane of the edge of the plunger transverse of the paper to be described, and beneath which they plunger is curved away to form the pressure applying lower surface IIB with merely shearing clearance behind the blade edge. Brackets II I are secured to one lateral face of the plunger, in which the elongated bell-crank finger II 2 is pivoted. The finger comprises the longitudinally extending paper gripping portion or bead I I3 terminating at approximately the central line of the plunger IM, the inner surface of which is in spaced relation by channel 99 to the longitudinally extending guiding shoulder It, and has the lever arm Ilfl pivotally engaged by the spring pressed plunger H5. The plunger II5 comprises the shank IIS slidable in an opening in plunger A vertically reciprocating elongated i bracket II1, and embraced by the coil spring I I8 engaging between bracket I'I and enlarged head |20 of the plungerV I I5. At one end the bell crank assembly has another rigid arm |2| having an ear |22 in position to abut or engage the fixed cam stop |23 mounted on the xed guide 56. It will be clear that descent of the plunger |04 will bring the ear |22 into engagement with the cam or stop |23, and that the bell crank assembly will be swung downwardly about its pivot in brackets I I against the resilience of the spring |I8, as the toggle assembly comprised of the plunger |I5 and lever arm IM is moved toward the aligned more obtuse position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9.

The bracket extension |01 includes the xed post |25 relative to the face of which the shearing blade |58 has sliding motion, and has a horizontal slot |25 through which the easel strip to be described is fed. The easel strip material may comprise any webbed or laminated or fibrous material, or any suitable textile material, or mixture of textiles and paper, or the like, although for general purposes a good grade of kraft paper is preferred. This is provided in rolls, as |26, of suitable width mounted upon a spindle I2?, fed through idler rolls |28 and |38, and then through the intermittently driven feed rolls comprised of the driven roller I3I and the frictional cooperating feed roller |32. Obviously any other feeding arrangements are contemplated as may be desired. From the feed rolls the advancing end of the paper is threaded through the slot |25, then under the longitudinal bead H3, in laterally guided engagement with the effectively undercut shoulder I I9 of the gripper or strip holding lever, until a desired length has been progressed forward to lie along the lower pressure surface lil of the plunger IM. At this juncture the feed rolls cease to function and the paper advance terminates but a desired length thereof is held against the lower surface IB of the plunger. The plunger IM, being timed to permit retraction of the gluing roller l2, then is moved downwardly, first causing the blade |08 to shear through the paper or strip |26, and then to force the severed strip downwardly upon the narrow strip I4 of glued surface of the primary layer, with approximately one half of the strip extending over and beyond the edge I3 of the layer I5. The grip of bell crank lever or finger |2 on the severed strip is maintained until it contacts with the glued surface la, so as to guard against misalignment. The easel strip is disengaged from the bell crank linger or lever |I2 by actuation of the lever about its p-ivot in brackets III, through engagement or abutment of the ear |22 of the arm I2! with cam stop ,|23 just after and in synchronism with the abutment of the plunger |04 on the layer lil. Application of the easel strip to the layer completes the processing of the primary layer in the first stage of the machine. The endless chain is thereupon properly actuated to cause an appropriate lug 3l to engage behind the processed primary layer to urge it longitudinally of the table out of the rst and into the second stage. In synchronism therewith the plunger Iilll has been returned vertically to its aligned position relative to the feeding slot |25 in the post |24, the bell crank lever finger I i2 has been resiliently swung up so as to engage or substantially to engage the lower face lill of the plunger IM, with a clearance such as to permit the endwise advancement of the easel strip for the next primary layer. synchronously also the feeding roll |3| starts to rotate to advance the easel strip material. l

Mention might be made at this time of the mechanism by which the several motions just mentioned may be secured. The plunger |04, for instance, is connected to the lever |33, pivoted to the bracket IE7 at |34, by a link `|32. The lever is actuated about its pivot by the pivoted links |35 and |36, and the latter, as shown in Figs. 2, and i8, is pivoted to the transverse link |31 carrying the cam roller or ear |38 engaged in the groove or cam slot of the cam |40. As the other end of the transverse link is pivotally anchored to the frame as at Illl, desired vertical reciprocations are imparted to the link |36.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 a form of mechanism is disclosed which is effective for securing desired intermittent rotative movements of the paper strip feed roll I3 I. The latter is keyed to a shaft M2, upon which is also keyed or splined a ratchet wheel |53, and a friction wheel |44. vA spring pressed pawl engages the ratchet wheel to prevent motion in one direction. A shaft |45, substantially parallel to the shaft |42, but suitably spaced therefrom, carries the driving friction wheel lfl'l and sprocket gear '|48, and the latter is in constant mesh with the vertically reciprocatable rack I 5B. The rack at its lower end has a link or pitman |5| pivoted to it at |52, and the lower end of link I5I is pivotally and adjustably eccentrically mounted on cam |53 at |54. It will be clear that rotation of cam '|53 will impart constant reciprocations of rack |50 and constant or continuous reversed drivings of gear |48. Through the friction gearing comprised of gears itil and IM, shaft |62 is rotated intermittently in one direction only, as the reverse driving is opposed by the pawl |45, causing slippage of the friction drive or gearing.

It is to be observed that as the endless chain or other device for feeding the work through the stages, brings alug 37 to bear against the edge of the processed primary layer, having the adherent attached easel strip, there is synchronous release of the follower mechanism 28 from behind the layer, to permit sliding movement of the work. Cooking or other improperly disposed or misaligned attitudes of the processed layer is minimized by the provision of the side guide edge 1|, and by the frictional downward engagement of the top guide plate 1B, maintaining guiding pressure until the layer il has been pushed longitudinally to guided relation with the additional vertically disposed guidingV rib or plate |55, (analogous to guide plate 2B of Fig. 24) parallel to the guide 1|, and spaced therefrom by substantially the width of the layer IiJ, with enough clearance as to prevent frictional binding effects from manifesting themselves. It will be understood that the guide rib il is just high enough as to engage a portion only of the layer I0, with the easel strip *'I 2 extending over it, while the rear guide |55 may be of any desired height. Each is suitably cut away at desired intervals so as to permit the transversely extending or movable elements to function.

The second stage of the machine comprises a hopper for the secondary layers II, mechanism for applying a coating of adhesive to the lower surface of the layers, means for moving the coated layer to proper superposed position relative to the primary layer, and means for imparting a preliminary squeezing of the associated parts to secure an initial set, with the use of auxiliary aligning mechanisms to facilitate proper registration. l

Referring now to Figs. land 11, a hopper |56 is provided, comprised of side walls |51 and |58,

- in Fig. 11, may be pushed forwardly by the fol- Ali) lower |66, to the feed or gripping rolls |65 and |66 disposed in alignment with the slot |63 in the front Wall |66 in position to seize and feed the projected layer The follower |69 is transversely guided by spaced guides '|61 and |68, mounted on the table top 25. The table top is cut way in front of the hopper |56 to receive the feeding and gluing mechanisms to be described, and this forms a longitudinal channel extending adjacent to the side guide rail 1| previously discussed. The follower |64 has a depending ear |1| extending into a slot |12, and is connected through the pivoted link |13 with the lever |14, mounted on the oscillatable shaft |15, and the latter is connected to lever |16 connected through link |11 to an actuating source. As shown in Fig. 4, link |11 is pivoted to the lever '|18, pivoted in turn to the frame at |86, and connected through link |8|, to a leg |82 of the bell crank lever pivoted at |83 to the frame, and the other leg |86 of which has the lateral roller lug |81 riding in the cam groove |85 of a cam |86 mounted on shaft 68 in splined relation.

Referring to Figs. 11, 16 and 17, it will be clear that feed rolls |65 and |66 adjacent to the front delivery slot |63 of the hopper |56 seize the front edge of the secondary layer as it progresses through slot |63 by reason of the forward or feeding movement of the follower 66, with a variable grip variable in accordance with the thickness of the layers by adjustments of set screws |69, and by rotation force the layer forwardly through the gluing rollers, the rotation of which cause forward expulsion of the layer Ii toward the compressing and aligning mechanism of the second stage, to be described. The gluing rollers comprise preferably a lower glue contact roller |98, normally having a portion of its periphery below the surface of the glue in a glue pot or pan |90, with the latter resting and slidable on the side edge of the adjustable water tank or cleaning pan |9|. The glue and water tanks are similar to those already described and this description need not be repeated. The lower glue roller |88 is mounted for rotation with a shaft |92. A secondary glue roller |99, having wiping engagement with the first mentioned or lower roller, is mounted for rotation with a shaft |94, journalled in the frame-work. An auxiliary non-gluing weighted feed roller |95 is loosely'and shiftably journalled in a slot |99 in the pivoted sub-frame |96 pivoted at |69, and arranged in any desired manner to have a slight clearance from the gluing roller |96, but such as to have frictional engagement with the upper surface of a layer ll,

.- while its lower surface is in contact with the gluing roller |93. It will be observed that by the described arrangement advancing layers moving from the feed rolls |65 and |66, engage between the upper frictional Weighted roller |95 and the glue roller |93 to simultaneously advance or feed the layer forward, whle coating the entire lower surface vwith van even coating'of glue or other adhesive. The feedand gluing vrollers are con- `stantly driven, by an endless cable or chain |91 `dpassing at the bottom over a sprocket gear |98 integral with a beveled gear 280 loosely journalled upon the end of the drive shaft 68. (See Figs. 18 and 19.) The chain is constantly driven by a train of gearing composed of the worm drive gear 29| and 292, by which motor 29 drives a stub shaft 286, and through a clutch 265, drives worm shaft 299. Shaft 266 carries a hand wheel 293. The stub shaft 296 is constantly driven, and through gears 261, 268, 2|6 and 2||, a sprocket 2|2, endless chain 2|3 and gear 2M, a shaft 2|5 is constantly driven, upon which is the sprocket 2|6, the function of which is to-be described. lThe shaft 2i5 terminates in a pinion bevel gear 2|1, in mesh with and constantly driving bevel gear 299, and therefore the endless chain |91, regardless of the engaged or disengaged condition .of the clutch 295, and therefore regardless of rotation or immobility 'of drive shaft 68.

The feed and glue-roller-driving endless chain v A |91 (Fig. 4) passes upwardly from gear |98, over a sprocket 2 i8 on a shaft 226, (a continuation of upper feed roller |66) to drive the feed rolls by variable friction engagement between the upper and lower feed rolls of the pair comprised of |65 and |66. The chain |91 also passes overan idler sprocket 22|, then over a sprocket 222 splined to shaft |99 of the upper glue roller, then over sprocket 228 splined to the shaft |92 of the lower glue roller, to drive the entire assembly. The same drive mechanism is effective to continuously drive the gluing mechanism of the first, previously described, stage, in any desired manner although preferably the shaft |92 of the lower glue roller extends longitudinally of the machine and also carries the lower glue roller 9| of the first stage. Through suitable gearing 226, 225 at the first stage end of shaft |92, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, upper glue roller 99 is continuously driven. As shown in Fig. 1 the horizontally reciprocatable glue roller 12, of the iirst stage, carries a pinion gear 226 arranged to mesh, in its retracted position only, with a gear of a train 221 driven by the spur gear 229 carried on the end of shaft 229 of the upper feed roll |65 .of the second stage. Obviously any desired form of gearing or other driving connections may be resorted to for the purpose. v

Referring now to Figs. 1, 12 and 13, among others, the assembling and compressing agencies of the machine will now be described. Brackets 299 and 29| support a shaft 232 journalled in suitable bearings in the brackets, and extending longitudinally of the machine, substantially parallel to the path of movement of the processed primary sheet or layer i6. A bell crank lever 234 is splined or set-screwed to the shaft and includes a forwardly extending leg 235, terminating in a transverse socket 236, to which a leg extension 231 is hingedly connected, with an internal cylindrical clearance or recess being provided 1n the hinged forward legs to receive in their aligned position the stiffener shank 268' having handle 246. The shank is arranged for axial insertion and removal perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 292 and hinge 236, and is designed to be held in operative locked position by suitable means such as a set screw actuated bythe wing bolt or stud 26|. Itis to be understood that with the shank 238 passing through the hinge 296 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 11, leg extensions 235 and 231 will swing about the axis of shaft 232 as a rigid unit. Axial removal of the shank 268, however, Awill permit the forward extension 231 to swing upwardly about the pivot 236, to enable access to the work beneath the platenjto be described. The free-A end of the bell-crank arm 234, is pivotallyA engaged with a vertical link 242, engaged in turn pivotally by the bell-crank lever 243 pivoted on the shaft 33, and having an end 244 provided with a lateral rolling lug 245 engageable in a cam slot 246 in cam 241 rotatable with main drive shaft 68. Y

Pivoted side guide plates 248 and 25|] are journalled on shaft 232, for limited oscillation thereon, and comprise at the forward ends, outwardly flaring wings 25|. Both plates are upwardly outwardly slightly flared beginning a slight distance above their respective lower edges, as at 252, and leaving, illustratively, a substantially vertical unilared surface 249 a distance above the lower edge which is at least as great as the combined thicknesses of the assembled unpressed combination of laminations to be treated. The lower edge of each guide plate is cut away as at 253, torform the two depending lugs 254 and 255, of such proportions and spacing asv to establish firm support at two points at least, of the side edges of the box lid, as horizontal aligning pressure is applied, as will be described. The recess 253 affords clearance in the substantial center of the guide plates, for the lugs 31 of the endless conveyor system. For the given relatively slight distance above the lower edges of the two pivoted plates the confronting walls 249 are parallel, substantially, and are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the table 25.

The pivoted side guide plates are each provided with a lateral ear 255 disposed between the jaws 251 and 25S of the respective yokes 250 straddling the ears, and secured to the shaft 232 in an adjustable manner, as by suitable set screws (not shown). The yoke engaging guide plate 25|), has an axially spaced extension 26| to engage the sides of the guide plate 255 to prevent undesired movement axially of the shaft 232. Similarly,

the yoke engaging plate 25| holds the latteragainst a journal 252 to prevent such axial movement. Adjustable stops 259 are mounted on suitable brackets or frames to reinforcingly engage laterally each pivoted side guide plate. VAs yokes 26!) are, in eifect, extensions of the bell crank lever 234, it will be observed that the yokes will oscillate in accordance with the rotation of the cam with which they are in train. The guide plate and yoke assembly is so designed and proportioned that slight upward movement of the coupled yokes 255 causes the guide plates to be raised about the axis of shaft 232 as a pivot so as to enable the work to pass laterally under the raised guideplates. A coil spring 264 is provided between the lugs or ears 255, and the upper jaw 251 of the appropriate yoke 265, which enables downward movement of the yokes with the bell crank actuator, during which the arm carrying the platen, to be described, is forced downwardly upon the work, without causing any movement of the side guide plates, other than resilient rm downward seating. Obviously the assembly so far described is arranged for adjustments to accord with variations in dimensions of the layers of the lid assembly.

The forward end of the joint or hinged legs of the bell-crank lever of the compressing unit, is provided with an apertured plate 255, in which the spring pressed platen 286 is resiliently supported on four studs 251 slidable in the plate 255, having the coil springs 268. vThe platen comprises the rigid upper plate 215 and the lower resilient cushion 21|. It will be understood that the soft face of theV platen ispressed downwardly upon the assembled layers by upward movement of the link 242, and that the dimensions of the platen are such as to substantially cover the entire area of the laminated layers,l with such clearance from other parts as to facilitate relative movements of the platen. It will be appreciated that the feed and glue rollers of the second stage deliver the properly coated secondary layer laterally of the machine above the level of the processed primary layer being guided inwardly by the outwardly flaring lips or flanges 25| of the respective side guide pates 248 and 250, above the lower vertical spaced walls 249 thereof, So that as the layer falls vertically by gravity or otherwise, the inclined walls will guide the layer into aligned relation to the primary'layer previously disposed between the guide plates. In many cases this guiding relation is all that may be required to properly position therespective layers. It is preferred, however, to provide additional means for positioning the secondary layer. This is comprised in a pair of spaced elongated narrow edged lingers 212 and 21.3 mounted on the block 214 slidable in the transverse slot 215, and working through slots 216 in the rear guide wall |55 to extend forwardly over the positioned primary layer to receive the expelled pasted secondary layer vinth the glued surface in contact with the narrow, upper edges of the fingers 212 and 213, with a pronounced frictional effect. As the block 214 is retracted in the transverse table slot 215 it carries the iingers with it, and the frictionally disposed coated secondary layer is caused to abut the upstanding rear guide flange |55 and to be stripped from the lingers with the rear edge 9 of the secondary layer in contact with such vertical guide plate, to register with the rear edge 9 of the primary layer which is also in contact with the rear guide plate |55, by means to be described.

To actuate the retractable block V214 and fingers 212 and 213, a link 211, is pivoted to the block and to the upper end of a bell-crank lever 218, pivoted to the frame at 33, and t-he other end of which carries a roller lug 280 riding in the earn groove of a cam 28| mounted on shaft 68. The arrangement obviously is such as to secure synchronized reciprocations of the finger supports.

It is preferred that the processed primary layer is forced from the rst stage by a suitable lug 31 on the endless chain and is slid longitudinally of the machine on the upper surface of the table in fore and aft guided relation, between the rear upstanding guide plate |55, and the lower front side guide plate or rib 1|, over the upper edge of which, by the way, the adherent easel strip is projected, with the edge of the layer below the strip being in guided contact with the guide 1|. The intermittent progress of the work advances in one movement the processed primary layer from the first stage, under the raised pivoted side plate 248 and into substantial contact with the complemental pivoted side plate 250, at which point the lug 31 stops. With the platen raised out of the way of the ejected secondary sheet the latter falls upon the fingers, which are then retracted pulling the layer to Contact with the vertical wall guide |55. Just before the platen falls or is forced downwardly to compress the two layers, a nger comprised of a bell-crank lever 282, just beside the endless chain in its track or groove, working in the recess 283 in the table surface, through the recess 253 in the lower part of the pivoted side guide plate 248, engages the side edges of the superposed layers l and l I and forces and holds them in engagement with the cooperating spaced pivoted guide plate 25] so as to align the side edges. Simultaneously a pair of spaced identical bell-crank levers 284, pivoted at 235 on a common shaft beneath the table and working inthe clearance l'lil in the table beside the side guide rib ll, which latter is recessed suitably to receive the ngers, bear synchronously against the longitudinal side edges i3 of the assembled layers, on each side, preferably, of the easel strip, and force both layers to the rear to abutting engagement with the vertical guide wall |55. The pressing aligning ringer gripping on both side and end maintains during the vertical pressing operation of the platen 265. As soon as the initial pressing has been concluded, in the cycle of the machine, the fingers withdraw and sink below the level of the table so as to permit proper feed of the next processed layer. Then the platen is raised, then the side guide plates, and the lug 3l then slides the compressed assembly forward to the third stage, the oalendering rolls, to be described..

The mechanism by which the ngers last described are actuated should now be considered. In Fig. 11, the bell-crank lever secured to the shaft and actuating its companion or auxiliary aligner finger has an end pivoted to the transverse shaft or link 285, the opposite end of which passes through an opening or eye in the upper end of a bell crank lever 287, and is provided with a relatively iiXed nut or other stop 258, and a resiliently mounted sto-p or abutment 23e, between which stops the end of the bell-crank lever 28'! is mounted, and is so arranged as to impart a positive movement to withdraw `the linger 284 below the level of the work in response to thrust from the bell crank 287 toward the right in Fig. 1l. A resilient yielding aligning movement is given the finger 28e in responserto an opposite swing of the bell-crank lever 213i toward the left, so as to exert a desired compressing action on the edge of the assembled work, without crushing same. -It is preferred that adjusting means be provided, such as the stop 289 adjustably mounted on the bell crank nger 23d to positively limit the inward or aligning motion of the finger against the edge of the assembled work. The operating bell-crank 237i is pivoted to the frame as at 29B, and has a leg 29E in position to be engaged by the adjustable stop 282 carried on the bracket 2% carried by the vertically reciprocating link 2112. The end of the bracket 293 is connected resiliently to the end 25| of the bellcrank lever 2S? by a tension spring 29d. The cycle of aligning pressure, and of movement out of the path of the work, of the iingers 28d is believed to be obvious. i

The longitudinally pressing aligning nger 282, has the adjustable stop 299, and is actuated by the preferably resiliently cushioned vertically reciprocating link 295, pivoted to the bell-crank lever 296, mounted oscillatably on the frame at 33, and having a roller lug 291 engaging the outer periphery of the cam 298. It will be understood that in proper phase with the other actions, the longitudinal aligning nger 282 is given an aligning pressure which is maintained for a desired short interval after which the iinger is withdrawn below the level of the upper surface of the table Upon the completion of the initial compression from the platen, under the helpful aligning functioning of the appropriate lingers, the iingers are withdrawn, the platen pressure is released, the platen raised, and the pivoted side plates are raised, then the lug 3l progresses forwardly to move the compressed aligned assembly out of the second stage and into the nal compressing calendering rolls 3Go and 3e! mounted and rotatable in a bracket irai/ne 352. The callendering rolls (analogous to diagrammatic rolls '.22 and 2S of Fie. 26) are geared together by the pinions 3de, 304, and the latter is constantly driven by the sprocket 3h55 running over the sprocket 2&6 previously described. The rolls 306 and Sill receive and feed the assembly outwardly, while imparting an additional or secondary or complete squeezing to reduce the assembly tothe desired vertical size and to insure intimate and complete jointure of the component partsinto a substantial whole.

It will be obvious that there are many modir` ncations and changes that may be made by those skilled in the art to secure the same or similar results as the illustrative form of mechanism dis-' closed herein, and it is to be understood that all such changes are to be construed as within the scope of the invention and of the hereinafter recited claims.

We claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, means for moving a primary layer into a iirst stage position, means for coating a portion only of such primary layer with a narrow strip of adhesive in such position, means for applying an easel strip to superimposition upon the adhesive strip with a free edge extending laterally beyond an ,edge of the layer while said layer is held in the said position, means for moving thel processed primary layer into a second stage, means for holding the processed primary layer against movement 'in the second stage', and mleans for superimposing and adhesively securing a secondary layer upon the first layer and the superimposed portion of the easel strip while the processed primary layer is held immovable in such second stage.

2. In a machine of the class described, means for operatively and adhesively associating `a primary layer and a laterally extending easel strip of less length than the layer width, means for bodily moving the assembly, means operative at the conclusion of the bodily movement for adhesively operatively associating a secondary layer with the rst so as to house a portion of the strip between layers, and aligning means bearing against the edges of the layers beyond the ends of the easel strip during the association of the primary and secondary layer.

3. In a machine of the class described, means for coating and feeding a secondary layer, means substantially in the path of delivery of the coated secondary layer for holding a processed primary layer while the secondary layer is positioned, means for holding both layers against lateral movement during a subsequent pressing step, and means for pressing the two layers together.

4. In a machine of the class described, means for holding a primary layer against shifting movement for a predetermined interval, means for applying and adhesively securing an easel strip to a surface of a prim-ary layer with a free edge portion of the easel strip projecting laterally Yof the layer during said interval, means operative after said interval for moving such layer` and pressing a secondary layer to the primary layer. i

- 5. In a machine of the class described, means for holding a primary layer against shifting movement for a predetermined interval, means for applying and adhesively securing an easel strip to a surface of a primary layer With a free edge portion of the easel strip projecting laterally of the layer during said interval, means operative after said interval for moving such layer to the second stage of the machine, means operative at the second stage for adhesively securing and pressing a secondary layer to the primary layer, and means for imparting a secondary compression to the assembled layers to facilitate a tight bond of the layers.

6. In a machine of the class described, a primary and secondary stage, means in the rst stage for supporting a plurality of primary layers of cardboard, means for selectively advancing each layer to a processing position, means for coating each primary layer, means for applying a strip from a roll of easel strip material to the coating of each layer in the processing position, means for moving the processed layer from the first to the second stage, means in the second stage for supporting a' plurality of second ary layers of cardboard, mleans for selectively advancing each secondary layer, means for coating a surface of each advanced secondary layer with adhesive, means for guiding the coated secondary layer to superposed relation to the primary layer bearing the easel strip, means for compressing the superposed layers.

7. In a machine of the class described, a primary and secondary stage, means in the first stage for supporting a plurality of primary layers of cardboard, means for selectively advancing each layer to a processing position, means for coating each primary layer, means for applying a strip from a roll of easel strip material to the coating of each layer in the processing position, means for moving the processed layer from the rst to the second stage, means in the second stage for supporting a plurality of secondary layers of cardboard, means for selectively advancing each secondary layer, means for coating a surface of each advanced secondary layer with adhe sive, means for guiding the coated secondary layer to superposed relation to the primary layer bearing the easel strip, means for compressing the superposed layers, guide means for engagement by edges of the superposed layers, aligning means effective on edges of the layers opposite to the guide means, means for securing relative movement of the guide and aligning means to align edges of the superposed layers prior to the completion of the said compression.

8. In a machine of the class described, a reciprocable plunger, guide means mounted on the plunger in movable relation to an operating face thereof such as to slidably receive and hold an easel strip in one relative position, a guide adjacent to the plunger and having a slot, means for feeding easel strip material through the slot and across the operating face of the plunger adjacent to the guide means, a cutter mounted on the plunger in shearing relation to the slot, and means for disengaging the I'guide means from the operating face of the plunger during the reciprocations of the plunger after the cutter has severed the easel strip adjacent to said slotted guide.

9. In a machine of the class described, a re-` ciprocating plunger, a lever pivoted to the plunger and having a longitudinal guiding shoulder and a spaced gripping bead, arranged for gripping positioning relative to an operating face of said plunger, a relatively xed guide having a slot .and disposed adjacent to the plunger, means for feeding predetermined lengths of easel strip material through said slot and between the gripping bead and the operating face of said plunger in guided relation to said shoulder, means for severing the material adjacent to the slot, means actuated in synchronism with the reciprocations of the plunger for movingv the lever out of gripping position relative to the said face of the plunger to release the severed easel strip.

l0. In a machine ofthe class described, means forming guides for intersecting edges of layers of cardboard, a platen, means for moving the platen to compression of the faces of the layers of cardboard, means operative to push the layers to alignment with a guide in synchronism with the compression of said layers by said platen.

11. In a machine of the class described, means forming guides for intersecting edges of layers of cardboard, a platen, means for moving the platen to compression of the faces of the layers of cardboard, means operative to push the layers to alignment with .a guide in synchronism with the compression of said layers by said platen, said last means comprising a pivoted iinger having a portion arranged to engage edges of the cardboard layers.

l2. In a machine as described, a guide rail,

a follower, means actuating the follower to push a primary layer to contact with the guide rail, means operative during the engagement of the layer with the rail for applying an easel strip to the layer overhanging the guide rail.

13. In a machine as described, a guide rail, a follower, means actuating the follower to push a primary layer to contact with the guide rail, means operative during the engagement of the layer with the rail for applying an easel strip to the layer overhanging the guide rail, said last means comprised of a device for imparting a coating of adhesive to the layer, and means for squeezing an easel strip to adhesive engagement with said coating.

14. In a machine as described, a guide rail, a follower, means actuating the follower to push a primary layer to contact with the guide rail, means operative during the engagement of the layer with the rail for applying an easel strip to the layer overhanging the guide rail, means for synchronously moving the layer with the attached easel strip longitudinally of the guide rail, and means for applying a secondary layer in contact with the primary layer and such portion of the easel strip as is disposed on the primary layer.

l5. In a machine for forming laminated box lids, a table top, a pair of spaced movable guides, each comprising a lower surface substantially perpendicular to the table top and upper outwardly flaring portions, means for disposing a primary layer on the table top between the guides in substantial contact with the lower guide surfaces, means for projecting a secondary layer substantially longitudinally of said movable guides above said lower surfaces, said guides so constructed and arranged as to guide the secondary layer downwardly toward and in contact with the primary layer whereby to secure substantial alignment of the edges of the respective laminations.

GEORGE H. SNYDER. ALLEN G. SNYDER. 

